32 Writing Prompts about Heartbreak

We’ve all been there, right?

That super sucky feeling that makes you want to crawl in a hole.

But hey, guess what?

It’s kinda normal!

Even though it feels like the worst thing ever, it happens to everyone.

Sometimes, words just don’t cut it when you’re this bummed. That’s where writing comes in. Putting those messy emotions on paper can be like a magic trick – it turns that confusing jumble of feelings into something real you can deal with.

The problem is, staring at a blank page can be, well, terrifying. That’s where these heartbreak prompts come in! Think of them as conversation starters, a way to get those feelings flowing and turn them into something awesome.

So, whether you’re a pro writer or just looking for a way to vent, let’s dive into this heartbreak-healing journey together.

We’ll find the words to fix what’s broken, one story at a time!

Writing Prompts about Heartbreak

The Box of Memories: When Eleanor moved into her new apartment, she stumbled upon a small, dusty box left by a previous tenant. Inside, she discovered a series of letters, photos, and trinkets that told a tale of a profound love followed by devastating heartbreak. Write a story that unravels the tragic love story hinted at within the box’s contents.
The Lost Connection: Samuel and Rebecca were childhood sweethearts who, due to circumstances, had to part ways. Years later, Samuel finds an unsent letter from Rebecca in an old book, revealing hidden feelings and the reasons behind their sudden separation. Craft a tale that explores the after-effects of this revelation on Samuel’s life.
Coffee Shop Regret: Every Sunday for five years, Lila has visited the same coffee shop, hoping to run into James, the man she let go of due to a misunderstanding. She clings onto the regret, thinking about what could have been. Write about the Sunday when James finally walks in, but he’s not alone.
Sounds of Silence: After a painful breakup, Sophie finds herself unable to hear music in the same way. Each melody and lyric is either a stark reminder of the past or sounds hollow. Capture Sophie’s journey as she tries to rediscover her love for music while navigating the maze of her emotions.
The Diary’s Revelation: While cleaning the attic, Marcus stumbles upon his late mother’s diary. As he flips through the pages, he learns of a heartbreaking love story from her youth, a story he never knew. Chronicle Marcus’ reactions as he grapples with this newfound perspective of his mother’s past.
The Garden of Memories: An elderly woman named Clara spends her days maintaining a beautiful garden. Each flower, however, represents a memory of her lost love. As her health starts to decline, she begins to train a young girl in the neighborhood about the importance of each plant. Detail the stories behind the flowers and how they help both women find healing.
The Photo: Every year on the anniversary of their breakup, Alex receives an anonymous photo in the mail. Each photo captures a place that holds a significant memory from his past relationship. Dive deep into the mystery of who sends the photos and why, eventually leading to an unexpected confrontation.
Parallel Lives: After a heartbreaking split, Olivia and Ethan never imagined they’d cross paths again. Yet, fate has other plans. They continuously find themselves encountering each other in different cities and circumstances but never at the right time. Narrate the series of almost-reunions and missed connections that span across years.
Echoes of a Forgotten Poem: In an old bookstore, Jenna discovers a handwritten poem tucked inside a book. The verses speak of love, loss, and longing. Intrigued, Jenna decides to trace its origins and in the process, uncovers a story of unfulfilled love from decades ago. Write about Jenna’s quest to understand the emotions behind the poem and the hearts it once touched.
The Last Dance: At an old ballroom that’s about to be torn down, an elderly couple meets, each visiting the place for their own reasons. Through conversation, they realize they were each other’s first love and the ballroom was where they met. Recount the evening they spend together, reminiscing about the past and the choices they made.
Mismatched Letters: Alex receives a heartfelt breakup letter meant for someone else. Feeling a connection with the emotions in the letter, Alex decides to locate its intended recipient and deliver it. Chronicle the journey of intertwining destinies, leading to unexpected realizations about love and heartbreak.
Portraits of the Past: Lydia, a young artist, paints portraits of strangers from her imagination. One day, a man recognizes himself in one of her paintings, but with a woman he once loved and lost. Explore the story behind the painting and how the universe uses art to reconnect two lost souls.
Heartbreak Hotel: A quaint inn in a coastal town is known to be a retreat for those mending broken hearts. Sarah, a travel journalist, decides to stay there and document the tales of its visitors. Write a story that focuses on the pain of the situation, highlighting the universal experience of heartbreak and healing.
Lost in Translation: While living abroad, Jake receives a letter in a language he barely understands. Seeking a translator reveals the message is from an old flame, apologizing and explaining her abrupt departure years ago. Delve into Jake’s emotional journey as he confronts memories he had buried deep within.
The Annual Letter: Every year, on the same date, Mia writes a letter to her first love, updating him on her life. She never sends them but keeps them stored in a box. When the box goes missing, Mia embarks on a quest to retrieve it, leading to unexpected revelations. Pen down Mia’s frantic search and the aftermath of her letters being read by unintended eyes.
Bridges to the Past: On the outskirts of a city, there’s a bridge where lovers inscribe their names. Rachel, in her middle age, revisits the bridge only to find a fresh message next to her old inscription, answering a question she asked decades ago. Unravel Rachel’s story as she seeks to find out who replied to her long-forgotten message and why.
The Playlist that Remembered: Myles has an old playlist that brings back memories of his first love, Nora. One day, he discovers that the playlist starts updating on its own, with songs that tell a story of heartbreak and hope. Dive into the mystery behind these song additions and what message they’re trying to convey to Myles.
Ghosts of the Theater: The grand old city theater, long believed to be haunted, is about to be renovated. On its last open day, Elise visits and encounters an apparition of a heartbroken actress from the 1920s. Narrate Elise’s quest to uncover the tragic love story that has left its mark on the theater.
Map of Lost Memories: A map mysteriously arrives at Ben’s doorstep, marking places around the city. As he visits each spot, he relives moments of a past relationship he had long forgotten. Follow Ben’s journey as he confronts his past, realizing the impact of those forgotten moments on his present.
Scent of a Memory: In an artisanal perfume shop, Liana stumbles upon a fragrance that vividly recalls her past love affair. Intrigued, she learns that the creator was inspired by his own lost love. Dive deep into their shared experiences and how fragrances can evoke powerful, often heartbreaking memories.
The Silent Phone Booth: In a small town stands an old, unused phone booth where legend says, if you speak your heartbreak into the receiver, you’ll find closure. When Jamie tries it, he’s startled to hear a voice from his past on the other end. Unravel the mystery of the phone booth and the healing it offers to those who dare to confront their past.
Threads of Destiny: At a vintage clothing store, Isabelle finds a dress with a heartrending note sewn inside. Moved, she wears the dress to a ball, where she attracts the attention of an older woman who recognizes the garment. Recount their emotional conversation, revealing the interconnectedness of love, loss, and fate.
Messages in the Sand: Every morning, while walking on the beach, Anna sees messages written in the sand, speaking of love and longing. Curious, she decides to stay overnight to discover the writer. Pen down the unexpected encounter and the tales of heartbreak they share under the starlit sky.
The Book with No Ending: Charlie discovers an unfinished romance novel at a library sale. As he reads, he realizes the story mirrors his own love life, with details that are eerily accurate. Explore Charlie’s reactions as he seeks the book’s author, eager to understand if the ending holds a clue to his own romantic future.
Time’s Fading Ink: At a historic estate sale, Cassandra buys an old inkwell. To her astonishment, every time she writes with the ink, she receives a response from a heartbroken soldier from the past. Delve into their written conversations, bridging centuries and emotions, as they find solace in shared experiences.
The Hourglass Cafe: In the heart of the city lies a cafe where visitors can relive a memory for the duration of the sands in an hourglass. Adrian chooses to revisit a heart-wrenching goodbye, hoping for answers. Narrate Adrian’s ephemeral journey into the past and the enlightenment it brings to his present.
Whispers from the Lighthouse: Legend says that on stormy nights, the old lighthouse broadcasts messages from lost sailors. On one such night, Lily hears a familiar voice expressing regret and love. Join Lily as she navigates her haunting past and the waves of emotion brought on by the spectral message.
The Heartbroken Statue: In a secluded park, there stands a statue with an expression of profound sorrow. On its base, an inscription invites readers to share their tales of heartbreak. Zoe, seeking solace, shares hers and is stunned when she receives a written reply the next day. Chronicle Zoe’s unfolding mystery as she communicates with the unknown respondent.
Eclipsed Love: During a rare solar eclipse, Jamie and Clara, separated lovers from different parts of the world, find themselves transported to a dreamlike realm. They have the duration of the eclipse to find closure. Capture their poignant reunion as they navigate this fleeting, shadowed world seeking understanding and redemption.
The Vintage Radio Station: Tessa inherits an old radio station that, when powered on, broadcasts shows from decades ago. One night, a sorrowful dedication from a lover in the past resonates deeply with her. Narrate Tessa’s journey as she becomes engrossed in the tragic love story played out over the airwaves.
The Heartbreak Library: In a town where people come to heal, there’s a library that archives stories of lost love. Patrons can read but also contribute their tales. When Ryan adds his story, he discovers a response from his ex-lover the next day. Recount Ryan’s emotional roller-coaster as he engages in this written dialogue with his past.
The Tear Collector: In an alternate reality, there exists a profession known as ‘Tear Collectors’, who gather tears of heartbreak to distill them into powerful elixirs. Amelia, a young collector, begins to experience the memories associated with the tears she collects. Explore Amelia’s journey as she becomes entangled in the poignant memories of strangers, learning lessons about love and loss.